Conservation
What is the difference between sustainability and conservation?
“Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Conservation is the protection of plants, animals, natural areas, and important structures and buildings from the damaging effects of human activity.”
Conservation Opportunities (Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability)
- Educate stakeholders (e.g., recreational users) about socio-economic and ecological benefits provided by area
- à establishing stakeholder forums and dialogue as an essential precondition (i.e., inclusion and participation)
- Raise awareness and sensitize stakeholders (starting with kindergarteners and primary school students)
- àg., make river shore communities and other local groups (more) aware of potential threat of invasive animal and plant species
- Establish nature-based youth and recreational programs
- à provide educational materials + playful interaction with ecosystems
- Organize guided tours (e.g., bird watching, paddling)
- Encourage best management and due diligence practices for agriculture, forestry, and logging, including vegetation removal and soil disturbance and construction activities
- à see Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Natural Resources Protection Act for more information
- Maintain or restore intact and healthy forested buffers along river to protect water quality and conserve valuable wildlife habitat
- à such buffers help to decrease erosion and nutrient runoff and prevent spread of exotic invasive plants
- Maintain or restore area’s natural hydrology
- à note: improperly sized culverts and other stream crossing structures can impede fish and aquatic invertebrate movement, thereby fragmenting marine ecosystems and ultimately leading to local eradication of some species
- Work with public and private landowners to encourage sustainable forest management practices on remaining privately owned lands in and around area
- Work with public and private landowners to secure permanent conservation status for unprotected significant features in area
- Collaborate with regional, state, and federal agencies on realizing Sustainable Development Goals
- àg., consultancy and funding opportunities for nature-based tourism
For more information on conservation opportunities, see this Maine’s Inland Fish and Wildlife page called Beginning with Habitat
Source:
Maine.gov Report: Aroostook River from Wasburn to Presque Isle Focus Area
Example of a river conservation project
Here is an example of river conservation in the western U.S. (Credit to Flathead Land Trust)